How climate change worsens big issues

From: Daniel Botz

Winona

As we close in on the general election, many contemporary issues are on people's mind. However, climate tends not to be on the forefront. Of the top 10 issues polled in the last election cycle, climate change was #10 with only 37% of all voters rating it as a very important issue. Part of the shortfall in public concern is due to the psychological distance, as humans have difficulty assessing problems that seem far in the future or somewhere else on Earth. Imagery of melting glaciers and bleached coral reefs, while serious, don't help elicit a sense of urgency in the typical voter. That said, I hope to convince you readers that for virtually every issue on the ballot, climate change has a negative impact on it. Let me list a few:

Immigration: It is predicted that by 2100, sea levels will have risen by over seven feet. Even before then, many coastal communities, and even inhabited islands, will be underwater. Drought and wildfires will destroy the livelihoods of those situated more inland. Since the poorest residents on Earth are the first one's affected, they will be the first ones to cross borders and seek new homes. This last decade alone has seen global migration double. How will the already overburdened immigration pipeline deal with the surge in refugees? Judging by the past few years, not well at all.

Crime: According to a study done by the NIH, there is "evidence supporting the association between elevated temperatures, crime, and violence, particularly for violent crimes." As temperatures rise, the heat alone could increase the likelihood of being a victim of violence.

National security: The U.S. military, until perhaps recently, has considered climate change a threat multiplier. Resource scarcity contributes to geopolitical conflicts and ultra-nationalism. Even our combat capabilities could be compromised. Many naval bases are at risk of being sunk, and heat protection is becoming a greater factor when equipping soldiers.

Home insurance: Back in 2024, the American National Group had "plans to cease its homeowners insurance business in nine states," including Minnesota. This is because the increased frequency and severity of weather events have made investments unprofitable. According to the nonprofit research organization First Street Foundation, "This trend will likely continue across the insurance industry."

Healthcare: Much like home insurance, health insurance companies in the U.S. look to cover enough healthy individuals to counterbalance those with more expensive needs. Any of the events described above could result in hospitalization, but heat and humidity are even more likely to lead to this. According to OSHA, extreme heat is the leading cause of death among weather-related fatalities. Even medication is at risk. According to the Montreal Children's Hospital, "Many prescription drugs are very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, and may their potency and effectiveness can be altered if they are exposed to extreme heat."

The range of topics climate change impacts isn't really that surprising when you consider how environments (natural and man-made) shape the events that occur within them. What is a more all-encompassing environment than planet Earth? I have only begun detailing the issues affected by the climate crisis, and more impacts are being realized as days go by without significant national or state-level action. So the next time you consider the issues important enough to vote on, remember that they all tie back to climate change.

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